Penn Yan House Fire Claims the Life of 12 Year Old Boy 

A tragic house fire in Penn Yan has claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and left his grandmother seriously injured. The fire broke out early Friday morning on Cornwell Street in Penn Yan. Officials say the boy woke up to flames, called 911, and tried to alert his 78-year-old grandmother before both were overcome by smoke. Firefighters rescued them from a first-floor bedroom, but the boy passed away Sunday at Upstate Medical in Syracuse. A dog also perished in the fire. Investigators say that the blaze started in the bottom of a refrigerator’s mechanical area, near the compressor and wires. 

 

Longtime Avoca Resident and Prominent Community Member Passes Away 

Longtime Avoca resident Glenn L. Davis passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 20th.  Born in Bath in 1945, Davis dedicated over five decades of his life to Mercury Aircraft and served his community as Mayor, a firefighter, and an ambulance volunteer. A proud Mason and coordinator of “The Ramp Guys,” he helped build more than 700 handicap ramps in his lifetime. 

 

State Police investigating death in Hornell Reservoir 

Authorities are investigating after the body of a 79-year-old man was found in the Hornell Reservoir yesterday, near Reservoir Road in the town of Fremont.  Two fishermen discovered the body and State Police say no sign of foul play was observed. Fremont and Hammondsport Fire Departments both assisted at the scene and the investigation is ongoing. 

 

Charity Softball Game Brings in Large Food Donation 

The Bath Volunteer Fire Department released a statement on their Facebook Page regarding the results of the Charity Softball Game this past weekend, in which The Fire Department played the Bath Village Police. Attendees brought non-perishable food donations for their admission to the game.  In total, 582 pounds of food was donated to the Catholic Charities Food Pantry in Bath.  Catholic Charities thanked both, Bath Fire and Police Departments for being true heroes, not just in times of an emergency, but in everyday acts of service and they stated it was a beautiful reminder of the power of compassion and community.  If you or someone you know is in need of food, visit one of the following Catholic Charities locations: 23 Liberty Street in Bath, 12 Allen Street in Hornell, or 102 Main Street in Mount Morris.  You can also find website links to additional food sources on our website, WVINbath.com, under the news tab. 

Livingston - https://foodlinkny.org/find-food/ 

Steuben - https://www.foodbankst.org/find-food/ 

 

EMAIL Scam Alert 

Steuben County officials are warning residents about a scam involving fake county email addresses. Scammers are posing as employees to steal banking info and request wire transfers. Legitimate county emails end in the suffix “@steubencountyny.gov”—and never come from a Gmail address.  Officials say that if you are contacted by an individual representing themselves as a Steuben County employee, ensure that the email domain is valid and exercise extreme caution when providing any personal or business banking information over the phone or by email. Law Enforcement authorities have been notified of this scam and are actively investigating this matter.  Please contact the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office at (607) 622-3903 if you have any information or if you are contacted about this scam. 

 

Child Passenger Safety Week

September 21st through the 27th is Child Passenger Safety Week.  The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone that every child deserves to ride safely and that starts with The Right Seat. Parents and caretakers need to make sure the child’s car seat fits their age and size and if you are unsure if a car seat is the right size a child, Contact Sgt. Sorge at (607) 622-3907 to schedule a car seat check, attend one of their car seat check events or click the car seat size guidelines link - NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat  

Convertible car seats and forward-facing C/S-B/S with harness straps, adjustable for newborns, infants, and toddlers, are made available for income-qualified families living in Steuben County by the participating agencies of the PLAY IT SAFE Project. 

 

Last Call For Boater's Safety Course

Registration for the Boater Safety Course is almost over.  The Steuben County Sheriff's Office Navigation Division will host this FREE one-day New York State Boaters Safety Course on Saturday, September 27. The class will be held from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Steuben County Sheriff's Office, on Rumsey Street Ext., in Bath. Registrants must be at least 10 years old to attend and must pass a written test at the end of the session.  Seating for the class is limited to 30 persons and preregistration is required. There is no charge for the course. New York State however charges a fee of $10 for the boater's certificate which does not expire. To sign up for the class complete the online registration at: Click Here - https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/234188 

 

Blood Drive in Bath Tuesday 

There's a Red Cross blood drive today at the Dormann Library on West Morris Street in Bath, from 11:30am-4pm. Other available dates, times and location are online at redcrossblood.org. As a thank-you from the Red Cross to donors of blood, platelets or plasma anytime between Sept. 22-Oct. 19, 2025, donors will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. 

 

STAR Program 

The School Tax Relief Program or the STAR Program, provides property tax relief to eligible New York homeowners. By reducing the burden of school property taxes, STAR helps families and individuals keep more of their hard-earned money, while supporting schools and communities. If you’re a homeowner and expecting your STAR credit, you can stay informed and make the most of your STAR benefits with just a few clicks.  You can check the state’s delivery schedule online... This among many other benefits and tools, such as Direct Deposit, are available on their website, TAX.NY.gov.   

 

Water Levels Dangerously Low At Almond Dam  

Dry weather across the Twin Tiers has pushed Almond Dam near Hornell to its lowest level in years—about nine feet below normal. The Army Corps of Engineers warns the drought is threatening local ecosystems, including freshwater mussels. Without steady rain, levels may keep dropping. Hardened soil from prolonged dryness means future rainfall could run off quickly, raising the risk of flash floods. 

 

Extreme Weather “Go-Bags” St. Co. Public Health 

Steuben County Public Health is urging residents to prepare for fall and winter weather emergencies by building a personal “Go-Bag.” Their Facebook page features multiple videos with tips and a website, Build A Kit | Ready.gov, offers a full list of recommended supplies. Having a “Go-Bag” ready is essential when the need to act fast STRIKES during a disaster.